Krautrock Album Database

Albums

Variety 1973

Variety (Menga 1973)

Album Legnth: 39:18

Genre: Folk/Jazz/Blues

Best Song: 'Drops'

Release Info: 2002 CD Reissue Garden Of Delights CD 077

Tracks:

1. Variety 7.37
2. Watercorps 5.07
3. Drops 8.19
4. Draw Conclusions From... 14.00
5. Last Door 3.15
6. More Drops 7.54*
7. All That I Remember 6.49*

*=Bonus Track

Rate This Album Online

Overview:

Variety lives up to its title in terms of musical styling. The group was composed of three Germans and three Hungarians all with different musical backgrounds. The album contains, folk, jazz, blues, classical, and rock influences, and on a few tracks the group manages to blend together, to differing degrees of success, these many influences. For me, the flower power vocal melodies work at times, but tend to grow old after a while. The first two tracks are a strong mixture of folk, jazz and classical. Complex compositions, they showcase stellar flute playing in addition to strong guitar riffs and a steady bass and drum backbone. The title track is highlighted further by a classical section dominated by organ and strings. The standout track is the third track 'Drops', the most kraut-ish track on the album the vocals sound a lot like Renate Knaup's! It opens with a strong sense of Amon Duul II influence before a heavy and distinct riff kicks the track into a jazzy middle section which includes guitar and flute solos. 'Drops' closes with some a very strong riff that is highlighted by screeching violins. 'Draw Conclusions From...' is a fourteen-minute opus ranging from boogie blues to jazz rock with classical touches throughout. Personally, I find the blues sections a bit redundant; I would have digged the track better if it didn't have such a playful feel. As a bonus, GOD has included two extra tracks bringing the total disc time to 53 minutes. The better of the two tracks is 'More Drops' which I presume is an early version of 'Drops'. Musically, the two are very similar, however, this version is slower and more deliberate. 'All That I Remember' is an early, slower, kraut-ier (better!)version of the first half of 'Draw Conclusions From...' [2/5 Doug]

Musicians:

Rodrigo Ramor - Vocals, Percussion
Frank Voigt - Flute, Effects
Gerd Pohl - Guitar, Vocals
Ricky Ramor - Bass
Fried Wordenhoff - Drums, Percussion
Kajo Sandrik - Vioin, Viola, Piano, Organ, Percussion